Custom T-Shirts (made by you)

As promised, here's the step-by-step process to create your custom t-shirt. Of course, you may decide to use something else besides a t-shirt. I'll get into that after the steps..

Are you ready?

What you'll need:

• 1 package of iron-on transfer. There are two kinds. 1-Light-colored shirt or white. 2- Dark-colored shirt or black. I'll tell you how to design the shirt using both options.

• 1 printer with ink. Double-check you have enough ink. Before printing on the transfers, you can print out a "sample" sheet using regular paper, to make sure it will print correctly.

• Your choice of shirts.

• Iron

Step 1: If you are using a white or light-colored shirt, your transfer paper will be backwards. That means, when you print your design, you need to reverse it (esp if it has words).

This is the original design. It was saved, re-opened and then turned so it would be backwards.

Before printing, this is what it should look like. As you can see, it's kind of hard to read because of the font I used and that's okay. Once it is applied to the shirt, it will look like the first picture.

Step 2: Print your design in this reverse format. You should be able to see through on the other side, which is kind of cool if you ask me. Turn on the iron and give it time to get hot. Do not use water if your iron has that feature. Before ironing it onto the shirt, you need to trim around the design--not too close. Iron the material first. Put the iron aside. Place the iron-on sheet on the front of the shirt--wherever you want it. I try to center it, but can never get it quite centered. You can use a ruler to help you get it there unless you like it off-centered. Up to you. It is your design. Instructions will also be included with the package. You can create your own design or go to the website included and use their templates. Remember to print a sample copy before you print it on the iron-on sheet. It will take a few minutes of ironing to get it secured to the shirt so take your time. Apply the iron to the entire piece, constantly moving the iron. Do not burn it.

Step 3: Carefully, remove the "backing". Slowly peel the paper off, revealing the transfer underneith. Wait a few days before washing. When you do, turn the shirt inside out. It shouldn't come off if you ironed it long enough, which is why it's important to take your time on the last step.

---

Step 1: If you are using the dark-colored or black transfer (it will say on the front of the package), you will NOT need to reverse the image. The steps are pretty much the same with that exception. This package will have a seperate sheet of paper that will go over your design when you iron it on.

Step 2: Once printed, trim around it. Before you iron it on, peel off the back and carefully place it where you want it. You should read it like this image, it is exactly the way it should appear. This will have a white background. Once you have the design where you want it, put that seperate sheet of paper over the design, covering the entire design. Iron it. *Don't forget to iron the shirt first. Once you are finished ironing, remove the sheet and look at the design. Make sure none of the corners are peeling up. If they are, put the sheet back and iron some more.

As before, wait a couple days before washing the shirt. It must be inside-out for the first wash. I don't know why that's important but it is, so don't forget to do that. As with the other, there will be instructions with this package so please read the intructions first. You can create your own design or use a template on the website included. Some templates are free.

This is what I created, but you can choose to use anything. I've made bookbags in the past. It is the same process although I didn't have to iron the bag before applying the transfer. I only used 1 sheet to create my design, but you can easily use more than one sheet for each design if you want it to be bigger. Make sure you trim around each item before applying it. Arrange the design on the front or back of the shirt/bag, or whatever you're using before applying the iron. Once you begin, you cannot move things.

If you are going to use both sides of the shirt, put something between the layers to protect what you've already done because the iron can damage the design. I used black ink but you can use any colors you want, any fonts you want, and you can even add designs with it, like I did with the butterflies and pen.

---

Ideas:

• Anything you can wear can be used. You do want something that is flat though. T-shirt, sweatshirt, pants, etc. You could try a pillow but I don't recommend it. A pillow slip would be the better choice.

• Bags. Do not use anything that can melt. Fabric bags are the better choice. Make sure there aren't any lint or dirt on the area you're using because the transfer will trap it into place and then break through. If you wash it before applying the transfer make sure it is 100% dry. Transfers tear easily so handle with care. Make sure the space you are using is large enough and will lay flat as you iron it.

• Bed sheets or blanket. I've never used them but that's an option.

Your design can be writing-related like this one. Or you can just go with "words" like I did on my shirt. You can use any image you have the rights to. If you can digitalize a drawing your child made, you can use that. Just remember, when you print on the dark-colored or black transfer, the white background will show because the transfer paper you're using is white. I think you can create your design on a different color if you make it part of your design but that would take a lot of ink.

You can also do something like this. I can see this on a light pink shirt. I think it would be cute. Don't forget, if you are putting these on a white or light-colored shirt you need to reverse the design before printing it. Otherwise it will be backwards when you peel off the paper from the shirt. And then you'd have to stand in front of a mirror to read it and that wouldn't be any fun lol.

So, if you can do this yourself, and have what you need to make it look awesome, with the time you need to create it; why would you spend 20-40 bucks on something anyone can get? Make it your own. Add your book covers to your shirt and wear it proudly. Or if you or someone else drew the character, add that for a special touch when you have a reading. Wouldn't that be awesome? Now that would be a great conversation starter.

So, I'd like to try something on Instagram and Facebook. Something for fun. Create your shirt, take a picture of you wearing it, and post it. We'll need a hashtag. Let's come together and show our readers that we're lifting each other up. We can support each other. I'll be posting about it later so be sure to watch for it and get the hashtag for our t-shirts. Or whatever you design. Are you game?